Publisher's Summary

A number-one best seller from coast to coast, Den of Thieves tells, in masterfully reported detail, the full story of the insider-trading scandal that nearly destroyed Wall Street, the men who pulled it off, and the chase that finally brought them to justice.

Pulitzer Prize-winner James B. Stewart shows for the first time how four of the biggest names on Wall Street - Michael Milken, Ivan Boesky, Martin Siegel, and Dennis Levine - created the greatest insider-trading ring in financial history and almost walked away with billions, until a team of downtrodden detectives triumphed over some of America's most expensive lawyers to bring this powerful quartet to justice.

Based on secret grand-jury transcripts, interviews, and actual trading records, Den of Thieves weaves all the facts into an unforgettable narrative - a portrait of human nature, big business, and crime of unparalleled proportions.

Typically I do read or listen to unabridged versions of books. However, I wanted to listen to this one and, since it's a little different from what I normally listen to, I felt like the abridged version would be just as good.

And it WAS good, but I really wish there was an unabridged version! This felt too short to me; like I was probably missing some background facts. But, overall, I would recommend it.

I enjoyed this, but, as is explored in books (and book reviews) elsewhere, this account is widely regarded as biased against certain participants, in a way many say is not borne out by the later proceedings and statements of such people as investigators and prosecutors. Some of it reportedly came from a witness singing to protect himself, whose account some other authors have taken issue with. I believe this book was based on certain limited sources and came out before all that was fully sifted out. For its sake, it is a good evocation of the era. The scandal, and some injustices allegedly done by zealous prosecutors, is mentioned in a couple of other major books about Goldman Sachs, one of whose execs was caught up in it. Michael Milken also has his passionate defenders who give quite a different slant on the story.

Also, like "Liar's Poker," I am disappointed that only abridged versions are here.